"SLOW DOWN"

Colossians 3:8-17: 23 (KJV) "But now ye also "put off" all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of HIM that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but CHRIST is all, and in all. PUT ON therefore, as the elect of GOD, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity (LOVE), which is the bond of perfectness. And LET THE PEACE OF GOD RULE IN YOUR HEARTS, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of CHRIST dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the LORD. And WHATSOEVER YE DO IN WORD OR DEED, do ALL in the name of the LORD JESUS, giving thanks to GOD and the Father by him." "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the LORD, and NOT unto men" When JESUS came to earth, HE had a purpose! HE had a mission to demonstrate how a "HOLY" life should be lived. These ELEVEN verses of scripture, if allowed, could alter the course of GOD'S creation. Scripture records in Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, PIERCING even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the THOUGHTS and INTENT of the heart." We just have to "SLOW DOWN" and listen to HIM. GOD knows when our true "intents" are good. GOD knows even our thoughts! HE knows when our actions are driven by selfish gain, rather than being driven by HIS SPIRIT. HE disdains "anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth" and HE wants us to "Lie not one to another"! Even when we "get our own way", if it is done with lies and deceit, there is no "peace of GOD rule (ing) in your hearts". Slowing down to hear from GOD brings an indescribable PEACE. If we operate at the pace of the world, we will miss the voice of GOD. HIS frequency is not on the same decibel level as the world. Even typing this devotional, I am made to SLOW down and listen for HIM! Verse 23 of Colossians 3 says "whatsoever" I do, I am to do it "as to the LORD, and NOT unto men". So when the temptation comes for me to have "anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of my mouth" or to "lie one to another", I should "put it off"! When I "put something on", I picture myself trying on new clothes. Therefore, when "putting something off", I should treat the actions I am "putting off" as old, worn out clothes, never to be worn again. James 4:7 proclaims "SUBMIT yourselves therefore to GOD. RESIST the devil, and he will FLEE from you." We can overcome the enemy (and the traits he brings) a lot more effective when we SUBMIT ourselves to The LORD. I just need to remember to SLOW DOWN.....and listen for HIM!